Give God the Right to have His Way

John 1:10—11; “10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

I recently read a true story of the world famous, Felix Mendelssohn, who was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic Period. Romantic music is a term denoting an era of Western classical music that began in the late 18th or early 19th century. It was related to Romanticism, the European artistic and literary movement that arose in the second half of the 18th century, and Romantic music in particular dominated the Romantic Movement in Germany.

One day he walked into a cathedral in Europe, and seeing the organ, said to the caretaker of the cathedral, “Sir, may I please play this organ?” He replied, “Oh no! This is our brand-new organ. We can’t just allow anyone to play it.” Mendelssohn asked again, “Please, sir, let me play the organ.” “I’m sorry. You don’t understand. This is a very expensive organ. We can’t let you play this organ.” The composer tried yet again. “Please, please let me play.” Since Mendelssohn was very persistent, the caretaker finally yielded to his request.

Mendelssohn sat down in front of the new organ and started playing. Music like the man had never heard resounded through the pipes of this organ. Harmonious sounds unlike any that he had heard in his life. The caretaker asked, “Mister, who are you?” Mendelssohn introduced himself. The man stood there and stared at him with his jaw dropped, and mouth wide open, recognizing who stood before him. He felt embarrassed to think that he had been foolish enough to forbid Mendelssohn the opportunity to play the organ. He just didn’t realize who was in his cathedral.

My friends, John says that the God of the universe, the Creator, was in the world, but the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Isn’t our response to God’s presence in our lives the same? How often have we given the same callous reaction? May there never be a moment in our lives where we become oblivious to His presence in our lives. How fitting is King Solomon’s advice to us in Proverbs 3:5—6, “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” My prayer for us is that we may daily recognize the power of the presence of the Almighty God, and give Him the right to have His way.

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com